US4474099A - Piano adaptor - Google Patents

Piano adaptor Download PDF

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Publication number
US4474099A
US4474099A US06/403,965 US40396582A US4474099A US 4474099 A US4474099 A US 4474099A US 40396582 A US40396582 A US 40396582A US 4474099 A US4474099 A US 4474099A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
musical instrument
pivotally mounted
percussive
mounted member
hammer
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
US06/403,965
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English (en)
Inventor
Lance Regan
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Darlin Enterprises Ltd
Original Assignee
Darlin Enterprises Ltd
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Filing date
Publication date
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Assigned to DARLIN ENTERPRISES LTD. reassignment DARLIN ENTERPRISES LTD. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: BOURHIS, JEFF, REGAN, LANCE, SMITH, MALCOLM J.
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10C—PIANOS, HARPSICHORDS, SPINETS OR SIMILAR STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH ONE OR MORE KEYBOARDS
    • G10C1/00—General design of pianos, harpsichords, spinets or similar stringed musical instruments with one or more keyboards
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10C—PIANOS, HARPSICHORDS, SPINETS OR SIMILAR STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH ONE OR MORE KEYBOARDS
    • G10C3/00—Details or accessories
    • G10C3/16—Actions
    • G10C3/18—Hammers

Definitions

  • This invention relates to pianos and similar instruments, wherein notes of various frequencies are produced by striking vibratile members, such as strings or wires, and more particularly relates to a method of controlling the movement of the percussive means employed for such striking.
  • a percussive means such as a hammer
  • a vibratile member such as a taut string, wire or reed
  • Examples of such instruments are the piano, harpsichord, clavichord, dulcimer, etc.
  • the piano which uses a plurality of hammer mechanisms to strike taut wires.
  • reference will be made to pianos only but it will be understood that the class of instruments of which some examples have been named above is to be included within the meaning of piano.
  • the hammer mechanism referred to includes a hammerhead carried on a stem which is pivotally mounted so that the hammer head may be caused to strike the wire by rotation of the stem about its pivot mounting.
  • the stem normally rests against a hammer rail with the hammerhead remote from the wire, and remains in this position until the key associated therewith is depressed.
  • a mechanism associated therewith bears upon the stem and causes rapid rotation thereof so that the hammerhead is moved to strike the wire and produce the desired note.
  • the hammerhead rebounds from the string and falls back under the weight of the action associated therewith until the stem strikes the hammer rail, the hammerhead thus promptly clearing the wire and allowing the clean vibration thereof and production of the desired note.
  • An object of the present invention is therefore to provide improved means for controlling and decelerating the return of the hammer stem against the hammer rail and thus greatly diminish or eliminate the rebound condition, which means may be readily applied to the percussive member of any instrument of the general type described hereinafter as a piano.
  • FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of one embodiment of the present control mechanism as described hereinafter;
  • FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of the control mechanism of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a modification to the control mechanism of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of a further embodiment of the present control mechanism adapted specifically for utilization with grand pianos.
  • the present adaptor is intended to improve upon the inventor's prior adaptor as described and claimed in Canadian Pat. No. 986,340 in terms of simplified construction, reduced noise generation characteristics and operative efficiency.
  • Canadian Pat. No. 986,340 it is known from general principles of mechanics that a rising mass absorbs energy more efficiently than a falling mass and the present control mechanism has been modified in recognition of this principle.
  • a hammerhead 10 is supported by a stem 11 and provided with a hammer felt 12.
  • the hammerhead is supported at its lower end by an actuating assembly (not shown) for causing the hammer to move quickly in the direction of arrow A upon depression of the key associated therewith and to strike the appropriate wire.
  • the weight of the action in conjunction with a resilient return mechanism (not shown) associated with the stem causes the hammer to rebound and return quickly after striking the wire and move into abutment with the felt pad 13 located upon the hammer rail 14.
  • the hammerhead must return quickly after striking of the wire in order that it does not interfere with the clean vibration of the wire, and so that the hammer is repositioned for the next strike.
  • the necessity for quick return gives rise to the problem of rebound.
  • the hammer stem, returning quickly, strikes the felt pad 13 with considerable force, causing a tendency for the stem to rebound therefrom.
  • Such rebound delays the proper repositioning of the lower end of the stem for subsequent action by the key mechanism thereupon, thus detrimentally affecting the facility of the piano for playing rapid, uniformly strong, repetitive notes.
  • the hammer rail 14 is provided at intervals therealong with slotted base clamps 15.
  • Each base clamp is provided at its rear edge, remote from hammer rail 14, with an upstanding flange portion 16 which may be inclined towards hammer rail 14 at an acute angle to base clamp 15.
  • Each adaptor 30 includes an upper and lower arm, 32 and 33, respectively with aperture 31 being formed in upper arms 32.
  • the lower end of arm 33 is hollowed out as at 35 to snugly receive therein a weight or mass such as a metal plug 36.
  • a weight or mass such as a metal plug 36.
  • the inner face of arm 33 facing the rear portion 10a of hammer head 10 is provided with a felt pad 37.
  • a second felt pad 39 disposed adjacent the upper face 10b of hammer head 10 is connected to upper arm 32 by means of a pin 40 which may be a fine adjustment screw passing through and threadedly engaged with upper arm 32.
  • aperture 31 is formed through upper arm 32 at a point along the length thereof to receive assembly rod 24 for suspending adaptor 30 at an angle as shown in FIG. 1 such that the face of felt pad 37 facing rear portion 10a of hammerhead 10 is arranged to be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the hammerhead.
  • the mechanism operates as follows. When the key associated with a particular hammer is depressed, the hammerhead moves quickly in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1. When the hammer returns, the stem 11 firstly contacts the surface of the felt pad 13. As the further motion of the stem 11 contacts and then starts to compress the felt pad 13, the rear portion 10a of the hammerhead strikes felt pad 37.
  • the relative position of felt 37 to portion 10a in the horizontal plane is set by means of adjustment to the position of base clamp 15. Adjustments to the position of pad 37 in the vertical plane are made by adjusting the height of assembly rod clamp 23 along slot 16 as described above.
  • the mass of plug 36 may be chosen empirically although it is calculable by those skilled in the art with reference to the mass of the hammerhead, the relative dimensions and mass of arms 32 and 33 and the counterweighting effect of pin 40 and felt pad 39 attached thereto.
  • the positioning of aperture 31 in upper arm 32 to suspend adaptor 30 at the proper angle relative to the longitudinal axis of hammerhead 10 may also be determined empirically but is also calculable by those skilled in the art having regard to the relative masses of plug 36 and pin 40 and also the respective lengths and unit masses of upper and lower arms 32 and 33.
  • the assembly rod 24 with adaptors 30 suspended therefrom may be positioned to effectively check and control the return of the hammerhead and stem after striking of the note, and thereby optimize the proper positioning of the stem for reactivation by the piano key mechanism.
  • FIG. 3 there is shown a further embodiment of the present invention further comprising a swing rail 45 having a felt pad 46 affixed to the bottom surface thereof.
  • Swing rail 46 is positioned by any suitable means above adaptors 30 to extend along the entire length of the mechanism and is adjustable to limit the upward motion of adaptors 30 subsequent to being struck by their associated hammerheads when moving in a direction towards hammer rail 14.
  • plug 36 has been described as being juxtaposed opposite hammer 10 and particularly end portion 10a thereof. As illustrated in FIG. 4, however, lower arm 33 may extend downwardly and inwardly to contact stem 11 at a point intermediate hammer rail 14 and head 10 if so desired although it will be appreciated that some losses of absorber efficiency will be experienced the further one moves from the hammerhead itself. It will be further appreciated by those skilled in the art that without departing from the inventive principles taught herein, the present adaptor may be arranged to contact the hammer felt 12 to effect energy transfer from that point.
  • An upper rail 72 which similarly extends along the length of the mechanism and which has a felt pad 73 provided along a bottom surface thereof, is disposed above rail 70 so that each of upper arms 62 lie between the two rails.
  • the hammer rail 14 is again provided, at least at its opposite ends, with slotted base clamps 15 having upstanding slotted flange portion 16a provided at their rear edges remote from the hammer rail.
  • a slotted holding clamp 75 including a flange 76 is fastened to each of flange portions 16a by means of a screw 17a passing through slot 19a and threadedly engaged with the flange 76.
  • the holding clamps themselves are slotted as at 78 and 79 and lower and upper rails 70 and 72 are fastened to the holding clamps by means of screws 80 passing through slots 78 and 79 and threadedly engaged with the rail members.
  • Clamp 75 further includes a projection 77 having an additional slot 82 formed therein.
  • An assembly rod clamp 85 having an aperture formed therein to receive assembly rod 67 is fastened to projection 77 by means of a screw 81 passing through the slot 82 and threadedly engaged with the assembly rod clamp.
  • this entire assembly may be adjusted in the horizontal direction by means of adjustments to the positioning of base clamps 15 relative to hammer rail 14.
  • vertical adjustments in gross to that portion of the assembly including adaptors 60, rails 70 and 72 and assembly rods 67 can be made by loosening screw 17a and sliding screw 17a in slot 19a to move holding clamp 75 to the desired position and then tightening screw 17a to securely locate holding clamp 75.
  • Adjustments to the relative positions and attitudes of each of the aforementioned elements can be similarly made by loosening the respective screw members fastening said elements to the holding clamp and sliding the screws in their respective slots to the desired positions.
  • this mechanism functions in much the same manner as the embodiments illustrated and described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
  • rear portion 10a of the hammerhead strikes felt pad 64 and the kinetic energy of the hammer mechanism is transferred to adaptor 60 causing upper arm 62 to pivot upwardly in the direction of arrow D about assembly rod 67.
  • the transfer of energy to adaptor 60 and the dissipation of such energy due to the resultant lifting of mass 65 substantially if not completely eliminates any rebound of stem 11 from pad 13.
  • This operation is of course completed upon the repositioning of upper arms 62 against pad 71.
  • the position of rail 72 is adjusted to prevent excessive upward movement of adaptors 60 about assembly rods 67.
  • the use of felt pads 64, 71 and 73 is intended primarily to reduce and absorb noise.
  • FIG. 6 there is shown a further embodiment of the present invention specifically adapted for use with grand pianos wherein the hammer is moved by its associated key mechanism in an upwardly extending arc to strike the piano wire and then rebounds from the wire to fall through a downwardly extending arc until the stem strikes the hammer rail.
  • FIG. 6 shows a hammer head 101 supported by a stem 102 and provided with a hammer felt 103.
  • Stem 102 when in repose, rests against the hammer rail 105.
  • the hammer assembly is supported and actuated by means not shown but which are well known in the art and therefore need not be described herein in further detail.
  • Support pins 128 include a lower threaded portion 129 passing between adjacent key assemblies 131 to threadedly engage the piano's action frame 130 and a head portion 133 having holes 134 formed therein to receive an adjustment tool for turning the support pins to raise or lower rail 114. This adjustment feature is particularly useful if the hammer assemblies are laid in a horizontally undulating pattern.
  • the height of rail 114 and assembly rod 115 is adjusted to suspend each of adaptors 120 to have upper arms 121 thereof arranged in parallel spaced relationship to the longitudinal axis of hammerhead 101 such that the outer face of felt pad 123 is tangential to and abuts the opposing face of portion 101a of the hammerhead when the hammerhead is at rest.
  • the mechanism functions substantially as described above wherein the energy of the hammerhead is absorbed by adaptor 120 which dissipates the energy by means of the upward rotation of mass 127 about assembly rod 115 to thereby prevent the rebound of hammer stem 102 away from hammer rail 105.
  • An additional felt pad 125 affixed to the underside of an existing piano rail prevents excessive rotation of the adaptor about the assembly rod.
  • weights 127 and the relative dimensions of upper and lower arms 121 and 122 may be determined empirically or by calculation for specific applications by those skilled in the art. Weights of uniform mass may be used in each adaptor or the masses may be specifically chosen having regard to the mass of the hammer mechanisms associated therewith.
  • adaptors 30, 60 and 120 may be formed to have other shapes including arcuate or other curvilinear forms or even angled configurations.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Electrophonic Musical Instruments (AREA)
  • Auxiliary Devices For Music (AREA)
US06/403,965 1982-04-15 1982-08-02 Piano adaptor Expired - Fee Related US4474099A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA401016 1982-04-15
CA000401016A CA1185464A (en) 1982-04-15 1982-04-15 Piano adaptor

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US4474099A true US4474099A (en) 1984-10-02

Family

ID=4122580

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US06/403,965 Expired - Fee Related US4474099A (en) 1982-04-15 1982-08-02 Piano adaptor

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US4474099A (ko)
JP (1) JPS58186797A (ko)
KR (1) KR840002556A (ko)
CA (1) CA1185464A (ko)
DE (1) DE3313806A1 (ko)
GB (1) GB2122015B (ko)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH0636147B2 (ja) * 1988-03-22 1994-05-11 ヤマハ株式会社 ピアノのアクション機構
US7345235B2 (en) * 2004-03-17 2008-03-18 Yamaha Corporation Keyboard musical instrument having keys equipped with balancers biting into keys and method for securing balancers to keys

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3640171A (en) * 1970-02-06 1972-02-08 John W Giglio Tone modifier and muffler for piano
CA986340A (en) * 1974-03-11 1976-03-30 Lance Regan Adaptor for common pianos

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3640171A (en) * 1970-02-06 1972-02-08 John W Giglio Tone modifier and muffler for piano
CA986340A (en) * 1974-03-11 1976-03-30 Lance Regan Adaptor for common pianos

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS58186797A (ja) 1983-10-31
CA1185464A (en) 1985-04-16
GB2122015B (en) 1985-09-25
KR840002556A (ko) 1984-07-02
GB8310330D0 (en) 1983-05-18
GB2122015A (en) 1984-01-04
DE3313806A1 (de) 1983-10-27

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Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: DARLIN ENTERPRISES LTD. 300-180 SEYMOUR STREET, KA

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNORS:SMITH, MALCOLM J.;BOURHIS, JEFF;REGAN, LANCE;REEL/FRAME:004281/0047

Effective date: 19820716

REMI Maintenance fee reminder mailed
LAPS Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees
STCH Information on status: patent discontinuation

Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362

FP Lapsed due to failure to pay maintenance fee

Effective date: 19881002